St. Edna's Snack Theatre serves up an evening of song and dance
Parishioners at St. Edna Church in Arlington Heights gathered in their new parish center last week, but not for religious education. Instead, Director Jenni Falk called the group to order: “Take it from the top!”
With that, the 34 adults wearing T-shirts and comfortable pants — with character shoes — snapped to attention and began singing and dancing their way through their opening number, “Can't Stop the Feeling.”
The parish opens its annual Snack Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3. Over the course of its five-show run, they expect to draw nearly 1,000 people. The musical revue features a show choir type performance, with choreographed numbers accompanied by a live, five-piece band and an Italian beef dinner included with the ticket price.
Some of the cast's favorite numbers include “Shut Up and Dance,” “This is Me” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”
The dinner theater format has served the parish well since 2005, but this year is different. The cast will be performing on a full-size stage set off against the backdrop of the more than 6,000-square-foot multipurpose center, set up with cabaret seating and a cash bar.
Parishioners dedicated the $5.7 million addition in late March after a multiyear fundraising campaign. With its full-size kitchen, it was designed to host social events for the parish such as dinner meetings, craft fairs, sports contests — and musical theater shows.
“For years, we were in the basement of the Hurley Center,” says Maureen Durack of Arlington Heights, an operations director for a large Chicago law firm by day and choir member.
“Now, we've moved up to a fantastic modern stage and center,” she adds. “It's a whole new experience for us — and the community.”
Jenni Falk of Arlington Heights directs the show. She grew up performing with Expressions, the award-winning show choir at Buffalo Grove High School founded and directed by Linda McEachren. Consequently, Falk brings that same high standard to Snack Theatre, even though she has a no-cut policy and welcomes people to join.
Its performers range in age from their mid-20s to 70, and live in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Hawthorn Woods and Palatine, to name just a few. Their backgrounds are just as wide-ranging.
Mike Maloni of Arlington Heights played in the pit orchestra for countless musicals before he joined Snack Theatre. Now, he's on stage singing and dancing to music he used to play.
“I always liked musicals, but I never saw myself on stage,” Maloni says. “I started 10 years ago in this and I love it.”
Kay Zimmanck of Arlington Heights is a veteran math teacher, having taught at St. Theresa School in Palatine and at South Middle School in Arlington Heights. She described herself as being shy and quiet — that is, until she stepped on stage.
“My children had never seen me sing and dance,” says Zimmanck, who figures this is her 11th show. “I can't explain it, but I feel transformed. I've even taken some of what I've learned back to the classroom.”
Several of the performers also sing in St. Edna's choir, like Justin Abbink of Palatine, who says he “took the plunge and never looked back.”
“I love all the singing and dancing — and the friendships,” Abbink says. “It was a big leap of faith for me and I'm so glad I did.”
Cast members began rehearsing three times a week in January. Besides performing, they also build the sets, design costumes, do publicity as well as decorate the parish center and set up tables for the performances.
“You name it, the cast does it,” says Kathy Romza, who performs and serves as production manager. “It's quite a production, but the cast loves performing for the community. What better way to bring people together, than with the gift of music?”
If you go
What: St. Edna Catholic Church's Snack Theatre presents “#blessed,” a cabaret-style musical revue of song-and-dance numbers
Where: St. Edna Parish Center, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 3, 4, 10 and 11; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5
Cost: $20 for adults, $15 for children; includes admission to performance, Italian beef sandwich, chips, nonalcoholic drink, and table snacks. A cash bar is available for beer, wine, soda and water.
Details: <a href="http://www.stedna.org/parishLife/activities/snackTheatre">www.stedna.org/parishLife/activities/snackTheatre</a> or (847) 337-6036